Education: Graduated from Cumberland Regional High School, then went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics from Rutgers University in 1991, a Masters Degree in public school administration in 1999 from Salisbury State University and a doctorate degree in supervision at Delaware State University in 2012.

When did you come to Delaware?

“I moved here in October of 2004. I began working in Lake Forest in July of 2005.”

Tell us about your career before becoming a superintendent:

“I started teaching in New Jersey as a high school math teacher. Then I went to Salisbury where I taught middle school math to eighth graders for six years and was the assistant principal for two years at a middle school. And believe it or not, I spent three years as a principal of an alternative school.

Then I came to Delaware as the principal of Lake Forest North Elementary School. I spent two years as the chief academic officer for the district, then tada! So I have k-12 experience as well as alternative and regular. On the side, part time, I’ve taught some college courses as well as some evening courses for adults in high school to get their GED. I just love education.”

How would you describe ‘education?’

“I see it as a way to make opportunities for young and old. Education opens doors that maybe sometimes they couldn’t even imagine.”

If you could have a ‘platform,’ what would it be?

“It is very important for us to continue to stress for our students that education opens doors. It’s even okay to stress that it doesn’t have to be a four-year college. Just open the door to start some type of apprentice or career. Then, as you start to feel comfortable, you’ll start leaning one way or another.

I think, although I am the superintendent, everything with me is about the district. It’s really a platform for me to enhance all the great things about our district. We’re really working to make our logo true, that we really are the best choice. I want the parents and students to take advantage of a good education.”

Did you always want to work in school administration?

“When I started teaching, I knew I wanted to be a guidance counselor or in administration. I found a love in administration and that became very fruitful to me. But you have to take a step.”

What drew you into the education field?

“I would say growing up in a pretty rural setting as well, I had the opportunity to really be close with my teachers. They were very supportive in my endeavors because I came from a low income situation. They always encouraged me, supported me even when I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I can remember my physics teacher telling me, ‘You will pursue math or science in college.’ It stuck with me. It was my teachers that really shaped me and said, ‘You’re talented.’ And it was sometimes when I thought I was just doing normal, they took the time to say, ‘You’re in the top,’ when I didn’t see it or recognize it. For me, this is an opportunity to help other students see it in the same manner.”

What is one thing you wish teachers knew?

“I just think all educators have to realize how much of a difference we can make in the lives of our students. So that’s my personal goal is to just reach out to our students and make sure we’re making a difference.”

What do you do in your spare time?

“Number one: my daughter is an avid sports player. She does marching band, basketball, she’s a softball player, she’s in odyssey of the mind, she’s on the student council… here goes my time. I’m very active in my church in Milford in the youth department and ministerial board there. Whenever I have time, I love to travel and see my family in New Jersey.

What are your hobbies?

“I love to sing, I love music. Sometimes, for me, an enjoyable afternoon is to just get in my car and ride and listen to some music. Usually, my hobbies are to slow it down a little bit. But my number one hobby is to cook. I love to cook. Many of my Lake Forest staff and some of the students, if they’ve been sick, they’ll see me at their front door with a full, home cooked meal. It gives me serenity. I get to exhale and relax. Where someone might think it to be a chore, I think it’s great. I teach a Tuesday night Bible study. So that’s another passion of mine, I do love teaching Bible study. That’s right in there with education.”

What do you like about the Lake Forest School District?

“I really love the family oriented atmosphere. Coming from New Jersey and working in Salisbury, there was the potential of being the name without a face, or a number. I just love in Lake Forest you really do get to know everyone. When something occurs, the synergy coming from this community coming together, I do not think that can be topped anywhere. Honestly, we have just seen it happen just in the last ten years.”

Do you have any changes in mind for the district?

“I don’t really feel that my position is to come in and be a radical. I think that it’s important, and what I have been stressing, is constancy. We have so many great things going on and the state recognizes us in so many more ways than just academics. I want to take all those awesome things and highlight them. When you have a place that is flourishing, there’s no need to be radical. But the need is to bring consistency and be sure that we’re all feeling that greatness. We’re really saying that we want to go from good to great.”

What are you excited about inside the district?

“I’m really excited about the strategic plan which we’re looking at adopting on April 28 if Mother Nature is kind. And that’s just exciting because it hasn’t been touched since 2010/2011. If we can walk into July 1 and have our strategic plan already laid out and everything, that will be a big accomplishment. I’m excited at how many people were willing to dedicate the time. Most districts only have 40-45 people, and we have 90 people signed up and they’re coming. And what I like, too, is that when they cannot come, they reach out to say they cannot be there for whatever reason. It’s dynamic and a reflection of what our community is willing to do for our children. And really, who wouldn’t want to raise a child in such a community?”

What would you say to the Lake Forest community?

“I want to stress the improvement of attendance because we want to set our students up to be successful in this global society. We know that attendance is key to any great evaluation. When our students get a bad pattern here, then that carries over into their adult life.

If I had to stress something else to parents it’d be that do not allow high school to be the end of the road. Encourage a trade, or at least, at a minimum, a 2-year degree. It affords the opportunity for a better career or a really good start. It also adds value to our community. The more of us that are productive citizens, the more value to that community.”

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